MLS Transfer News: The league welcomes prospects and Pato

MLS Transfer News – February 9th, 2021

To start off the week in MLS transfer news, New York Red Bulls sign midfielder Bento Estrela to a Homegrown contract. At only 14 years old, Estrela becomes Red Bulls record youngest signing. The midfielder joined New York academy in 2019 and has regularly featured in youth sides above his age, in the academy, and internationally. Expect to see the teen getting USL Championship action this upcoming season.

Austin FC signs the 11th overall selection from the 2021 MLS Superdraft defender Freddy Kleemann. The 22-year old made 27 appearances for the University of Washington from 2018-2019.

FC Dallas loan midfielder Brandon Servania to SKN St. Pölten on a short-term deal. This year has already been one to remember for Servania. He was one of six academy products from FC Dallas to train with Bayern Munich in January, just days after making his international debut for the USMNT senior team. Now, the 21-year old will kick off his European career in Austria. An MCL tear limited the Birmingham-native to just 12 appearances last season after a solid campaign in 2019.

MLS Transfer News – February 10th, 2021

Burton Albion FC sign defender Michael Mancienne from New England Revolution on a free transfer. A product of Chelsea’s academy, the 33-year old heads back to England to join up with League One outfit, Burton Albion. New England Revolution made Mancienne the league’s highest-paid defender when the club signed him in 2018; he made 31 appearances.

Nashville SC signs forward C.J Sapong from Chicago Fire FC on a free transfer. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year and 2013 MLS Cup winner continues his illustrious MLS career with Nashville. A prominent leader both on-and-off the field, Sapong has made 276 MLS appearances with Sporting KC, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, and Chicago Fire. Over that time, he’s chipped in with 71 goals and 25 assists.

MLS Transfer News – February 11th, 2021

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Austin FC signs midfielder Tomás Pochettino from Club Atlético Talleres for $2.5M. Austin’s second-ever Designated Player, Pochettino, is a versatile midfielder who can play advanced, central, or holding roles.

The 25-year old has made 108 appearances in Argentine Primera División since debuting for Boca Juniors in 2015. Since then, he’s suited up for Defensa y Justicia and most recently for Talleres, where he enjoyed the best form of his career.

In 11 games in Argentina the season, Pochettino produced three goals and four assists.

MLS Transfer News – February 12th, 2021

New York City FC signs left-back Malte Amundsen from Vejle for $1.63M. NYFC gets a pacey fullback with the attacking attributes coaches to look for in the modern game. 23-year old Amundsen has made 144 appearances in Europe across stints with HB Køge, Rosenborg, Eintracht Braunschweig, and Vejle.

FC Dallas loans defender Justin Che to Bayern Munich II on a short term deal. Another one of FC Dallas’s prized prospects, Che was involved in the group that trained with the German giants in January. It’s clear to see that he impressed enough for Bayern to bring him in on loan for the rest of the season.

A permanent signing could be in the 17-year olds future if he continues to raise eyebrows in Munich, and considering the precedent. Bayern took Chris Richards on loan after a trial, eventually signing him permanently.

CF Montréal loans midfielder Tomas Giraldo to FC Edmonton on a season-long deal. Montréal continues to feed the Canadian Premier League with their academy products. Giraldo, a native of Colombia, represents Canada on the international level and has been with Montréal since 2015.

Inter Miami sign the 10th overall pick in the 2021 MLS Superdraft, winger Josh Penn. The 20-year old played made five appearances for Indy Eleven before playing a single season at the University of Indiana in 2019.

With the Hoosiers, Penn made 22 appearances registering six goals and two assists. Penn signed his first professional contract this past summer with Indy Eleven but has since terminated following his deal with Miami.

Atlanta United FC sign midfielder Santiago Sosa from River Plate for $5.45M Atlanta has needed some steel in midfield for a while; new manager Gabriel Heinze will hope they’ve found it in the form of the 21-year old Argentine. Sosa is an exceptionally talented defensive mid who plays aggressively and is stout in one-on-one situations. The newest ATLien featured 21 times for River Plate since joining the senior set-up in 2018.

MLS Transfer News – February 13th, 2021

Orlando City FC signs forward Alexandre Pato from São Paulo on a free transfer. My favorite Pato story involves his meeting with Ronaldinho after arriving at AC Milan as a 17-year old in 2007. The Brazilian legend offered a Playboy magazine to his rising compatriot and an ultimatum. Either Pato could join Ronaldinho and his entourage of nightlife enthusiasts or Kaka’s devout family man and Christian lifestyle.

Unfortunately for football fans worldwide, the former wonderkid chose the allure of Milan’s club scene. Pato never reached the heights he once seemed destined for due to ongoing personal issues and nagging injuries exacerbated by his lifestyle. Hopefully, for MLS Supporters, the most notable name on this list has enough gas in the tank to pull out a few of his trademark heart celebrations.